Page 97 of That First Night

“You could call it that.” I laugh back. “I got you a building.”

Her eyes widen at my admission. “What do you mean you got me abuilding?”

“Down the street is a vacant building. It’s small, nothing crazy. But when I realized I had to fire you, I wanted to have a backup plan for you. So I bought you a building that you can convert into a daycare center, here in the city.”

“W-wh—” she shakes her head. “No, you didn’t.”

“I did. You should know by now that I would give you the world if you asked for it, baby.”

She steps closer to me and wraps her arms around my head, looking deep into my eyes and I finally see a smile form on her lips. I wrap my arms around her waist to hold her body close to mine. “Just you,” she whispers. “I just want you.”

“I’m all yours, baby.” I press a kiss to her temple and step away. “Let’s get out of here. We’re going to be late.”

“Are Marc and Avery riding with us?” she asks as she gathers her phone to tuck it into her small purse and the elegant floor length jacket she bought.

“Hell no. Can you imagine riding in the car with those two?” I raise a questioning brow at her. “That’s a fucking disaster waiting to happen.”

“You’re not wrong.” She laughs. “I can’t believe Avery even agreed to the deal. She’s the least eligible person as a fake fiancé.”

“Clearly Marc is desperate here.” I laugh as we ride the elevator downstairs.

When we enter the lobby, Jim is standing there with a smile on his face. “Good evening, Mr. Ford.” He nods his head to me, then turns his gaze to Peyton. He reaches out his hand and she places hers in his. “Good evening, Ms. Kelly. You look absolutely stunning tonight,” he says before placing a light kiss to the back of her hand.

“Thank you, Jim,” Peyton replies shyly.

“Jim,” I say in a stern voice. “Did you just kiss my girlfriend's hand?”

His eyes widen as Peyton begins to chuckle.

“Oh stop it, Thomas.”

I smile at Jim to reassure him that I am only joking, and he returns a soft grin back to me. “Thank you, Jim. For all you do.”

“My pleasure, Mr. Ford.” He nods. “It's a beautiful evening for this event.”

“It is, isn’t it?” I reply but my eyes are on her.

Only ever on her.

“Have a good night, Jim,” Peyton says as we begin to walk outside.

Eddy is already parked there with the car, waiting for us. He opens the door and lets Peyton in first and then I round the car to get in next to her.

Once we are on the road, my eyes turn to Peyton sitting next to me. Her hands are in her lap and she’s staring at the city lights. She’s truly the most beautiful person I have ever met in my life. I briefly think back to what life was like before her. I can’t imagine life without her anymore because this right here, right now, is all I ever want to know for the rest of my life.

My hand lands on her thigh and she snaps her head to look at me as if I startled her. Every single touch I have ever felt with her has been pure electric. From day one, until right now. I wonder if she feels it too.

“Are you excited for this?” she asks.

I shrug my shoulders. “These events are fun, but it usually ends up with a lot of crowd mingling. Many of my business associates will be there. Unfortunately, it ends up feeling like work.”

“Well.” She smiles. “When you need an escape from work, I will be there.”

“Thank you again for coming tonight.” My hand finds her bare leg as the slit opens when she makes the smallest move in her seat. “This dress.” A low guttural growl leaves my chest.

“You like it?”

“I fucking love it,” I reply as my hand slides higher up her thigh, brushing her skin. “Is this why you picked a dress with a slit like this, Sunshine? Did you want me to have easy access to you?”